Salem Theatre reopens after auditorium renovations
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SALEM — A ribbon cutting and grand reopening was held on Saturday, Oct. 18, to celebrate completion of the first phase of renovations at the Salem Community Theatre.
The renovation work, which got under way in June, included removal of all of the old seats and the installation of 324 new seats in the theater auditorium, as well as installation of new epoxy flooring and painting of the auditorium ceiling.
New carpeting for the aisles that run from the back to the front of the auditorium was also installed, along with some new ceiling fans.
The new seats are a little larger and more comfortable than the old ones. They were also able to leave a little more space between the rows, making it easier for people to get to their seats without others in the row having to get up and let them pass, explained Theatre Board President Drew Johnson.
In addition to the work done in the auditorium, they also did some repainting in the foyer of the theatre.
Saturday’s event marked the official reopening after completion of the work over the summer and Johnson thanked everyone who pitched in to make it a reality, including a big group of community volunteers who came out in late June to help remove the old seats and floor tiles in the auditorium.
“It was a long haul but we’ve been on schedule and we’ve had a lot of great volunteer work that has made this possible,” said Johnson. “It’s really great to be reopened.”
He added that the students from the Salem Community High School (SCHS) Theatre Department also pitched in with a lot of volunteer hours throughout the project.
“The Drama Club has worked diligently, and we also had a lot of adult volunteers to help steer them,” said Johnson. “So between youthful energy and adult wisdom, we were able to get everything accomplished.”
The renovated theatre will host its first activities on Halloween Night, with the Salem Recreation Department Costume Contest at 5:30 p.m. Then, at 8:30 p.m. that night, a movie, “Killer Clowns from Outer Space,” will be shown at the theatre.
Johnson noted that theatre officials are excited for the community to see the renovations once they start hosting events again.
“We’ve had several people come through today,” he said of those who turned out on Saturday for the ribbon cutting and grand reopening. “And we hope to see many more at our events to come.”
The first stage production planned at the renovated theatre will be the SCHS fall play in November. Then in December, there are a number of activities planned at the theatre, including a holiday concert by the Salem Community Band and Choir.
With phase 1 completed, the theatre is now looking toward phase 2 of the project, which will include replacement of the doors at the theatre, including new front doors with ADA-accessible door openers to better serve mobility-impaired patrons.
Improvements to the HVAC system are also slated as part of phase 2.
Then, down the line, they are also eyeing phase 3 work that would include plumbing and electrical improvements and expansion of the front lobby area.
The theater is currently in the midst of a $150,000 fundraising campaign to help pay for the renovations, with around $83,000 of that total goal raised, so far.
Donations are being received online at salemiltheater.org. You may also mail donations to the Salem Community Theatre at 101 South Broadway, Salem IL 62881.
(Times-Commoner Photo by Dennis Rosenberger) THEATRE IMPROVEMENTS — The Salem Theatre hosted a grand reopening event on Saturday, Oct. 18, along with a ribbon cutting for the recently completed renovations.
(Times-Commoner Photo by Dennis Rosenberger) TESTING THE SEATS — Some of those who turned out for the grand reopening of the Salem Theatre on Saturday try out the new seats that were installed as part of the recent renovations.
(Times-Commoner Photo by Dennis Rosenberger) CUT THE RIBBON — A ribbon cutting was held on Saturday for completion of renovations at the Salem Community Theatre. Members of the theatre board were joined by community residents during the event to celebrate the reopening of the theatre.
